Police release names of those who jumped from burning boat

Westerly — Police have released the names of the five people who had to jump off a burning boat off Watch Hill early Friday morning.

According to police, a 29-foot Dyer cruiser caught on fire at about 7:20 a.m. The boat’s owner, Jerry Donovan, of 1 Church St., Stonington, told police that he was on board his boat “Simple” when its engine compartment caught fire and a fire extinguisher could not contain the flames.

Donovan said he was on a fishing trip with his employees. They were identified as: Patrick Kelliher, 35, of Hanson, Mass.; Michael Sullivan, 53, of Pawtucket, R.I.; Brian Thompson, 40, of Warwick, R.I., and Gregory Bedeour, 36, of Rhode Island.

The men were rescued by another boater, Walter Hasting, who took them to the Stonington Yacht Club. No injuries were reported.

In addition to Westerly police, Stonington police, the Coast Guard and Mystic Fire Department responded to the scene.

The boat is a total loss and was going to be removed by a salvage company, the police report said.